New Emergency Diversion Routes & Symbol Signage for M50

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) announces new symbol system for Emergency Diversion on M50

Incidents are a major contributor to commuter delays with about 120 incidents occurring in a typical month on the M50, over half of them during rush hour traffic. Incidents can include anything from simple breakdowns, or debris on the motorway right up to major collisions with multiple vehicles.

Serious incidents require the involvement of many different agencies including An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade, the four Dublin Local Authorities, TII and the Motorway Traffic Control Centre. The various agencies involved came together in 2015 to form the Interagency Incident Coordination Group (IICG). This group provides a forum for communication between all parties and has developed various initiatives in relation to co-ordination of resources, incident management and identification of potential diversion routes. In addition, the IICG convenes in the event of a major incident so that the decision makers from each agency can coordinate a combined multiagency response.

“The incident response service involving all agencies is on call 24/7/365. This emergency diversion signage will assist in mitigating the impact of a major incidents but not eliminate time delays.” Sean O’Neill

In the coming months the entire M50 will have a diversion route identified that will include J3 (at the M1 merge) to J17 (at the M11 merge), except for J6 (Blanchardstown) to (Liffey Valley) where no suitable alternative route exists,

The identification of emergency diversion routes to provide an option for dispersal of traffic in the case of a M50 closure. Agreement with the relevant Local Authorities is currently being finalised for additional junctions and signage is being rolled out and will be completed for the critical sections by the end of the year.

Electronic signs on the M50 will be used to inform drivers when diversions are in place and each diversion route will be indicated by a specific symbol which drivers will be directed to follow.